Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Honors Forum’s mission?

The central goal of the Honors Forum is to strengthen the intellectual community for
all highly motivated Skidmore students and especially to encourage the academic aspirations
of exceptionally talented first-year and second-year students. The “Forum,” as the
name suggests, is intended not as an exclusive society but rather as a structure for
organizing and promoting our common interests as an academic community. Thus, while
formal membership in the program involves around 250 students selected for their academic
commitments and accomplishments in the various disciplines, most of the honors-designated
courses and co-curricular activities sponsored by the Forum invite the participation
of other highly motivated Skidmore students as well. (see the Overview)

When was the Honors Forum created?

The Honors Forum inducted its first members in the spring of 1997 and offered its
first courses in September 1998. The Skidmore Class of 2001 included the first graduating
class of Honors Forum members.

Who oversees Honors Forum?

Honors Council—a tripartite committee composed of administrators, faculty members
(one of whom acts as Honors Forum Director), and students—is the governing body charged
with overseeing Honors Forum policy and implementation. The Executive Committee (comprised
of the Honors Forum President, Vice Presidents, and members of each class year) is
responsible for creating and implementing Forum projects as well as planning and conducting
Forum events. Executive Committee reports regularly to Honors Council. Honors Forum
members interested in serving on the Executive Committee should contact the Director.
(see HF Council)

How are entering students selected?

A select number of entering first-year students are invited to join the Honors Forum
in September based on outstanding academic and co-curricular high school records.
(see Membership Eligibility)

What are the academic requirements for maintaining Honors Forum membership?

Honors Forum members must maintain both a semester and cumulative grade point average
of 3.50. Students who fall below a semester 3.50 GPA may temporarily maintain their
membership; they will receive a warning notice from the Director. Students whose grade
point averages fall below 3.50 for two consecutive semesters must relinquish membership
in the Honors Forum. Students are also expected to contribute to the Honors Forum
community and to complete an annual report on their participation in Honors Forum
events. To graduate as an Honors Forum member, a student must have a cumulative GPA
of 3.50 or above. (see Membership Policy)

What are the course requirements?

Students must complete either a minimum of three Honors Forum course experiences or
seven semester hours of Honors Forum course credits. For both options, students can
take Honors courses, Honors add-ons, independent studies, or a study abroad experience.
Students inducted in their first year must complete this requirement by the end of
the junior year; students inducted in their sophomore year must complete this requirement
prior to their graduation. Students must also complete a Service Requirement and a
Capstone requirement their senior year. In most cases, the Capstone is the culminating
experience in the student’s major (thesis, research seminar, senior project, recital,
art show, etc.). (see Membership Policy and Curriculum)

What are Honors Courses and who may take them?

All Skidmore students are eligible to enroll in Honors courses. Most Honors courses
are either academically enhanced three- or four-semester hour classes, stand-alone
one-credit courses, or one-credit honors add-ons to a non-honors (“parent”) course.
Students enrolling in one-hour additions to existing courses must also enroll in the
“parent” course. See the Master Schedule for the options available each semester.
(see Courses by Department)